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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

In A&E and need to update manager - AIBU to run message past you all?

75 replies

HRVY · 30/04/2021 07:59

Went to A&E late last night to get checked out, as I’ve had quite bad stomach pains for a couple of days and was getting worried it could be something serious like appendicitis.

Doctors have run some tests, and all looking good so far thankfully. They want to do an ultrasound just as a precaution though. As ultrasounds aren’t available till this 9am, I’ve been kept in so I can get a scan as soon as possible this morning.

I’m meant to be logging on for work at 9, but that of course clashes with the scan. Luckily, it’s a v quiet period with no urgent tasks though!

Wondering how to let my line manager know about all of this (first time I’ve done a work ‘sick note’) - how does this sound?

Hi X, really sorry but I don’t think I’ll be able to make it in this morning. I felt really unwell yesterday so headed to A&E last night just as a precaution, and they’re doing some tests and scans this morning. I’m sure it’s all going to be fine, but just wanted to let you know. Thanks, HRVY.

I’m wondering if I need to add anything about logging on later if I feel better? Also - wondering if mentioning ‘scans’ makes it all sound worrying and dramatic - should I just say ‘tests’?

Grateful for any thoughts! Thanks :)

OP posts:
Dreaminbleu · 30/04/2021 08:11

Where do you work that you are worrying so much about having a day sick?! I would not expect any of my team to come back to work the same day after a night in A&E.

Dear boss

I felt unwell yesterday and was admitted to hospital last night. Therefore I won’t be able to work today. I will keep you updated on when I can return.

Then message about the work you had on/anything urgent.

Don’t promise you’ll be in later, you don’t know if you will and you’ll be shattered!

Neonprint · 30/04/2021 08:11

It's really passive which isn't great depending on how pushy your manager is. But also in a situation where you are clearly unable to work a bit annoying.

No need for the I think. You can't work no I think about it. Same as just going as a precaution, the pain was bad enough to send you to A&E.

I'd say

Hi I won't be able to work today as I'm currently in A&E having ongoing tests. I've been here overnight (poss say why).
I'm not sure how long I'll be here for but will keep you updated before I'm next due to work.

Even if they send you on your way at 10am you're not going to want to log on to work after a night in A&E. Get some rest! Hope you feel better.

Cwenthryth · 30/04/2021 08:11

“I am sorry I will not be at work today as I am unwell and have been admitted to hospital for a scan, I will keep you updated with how it goes”.

If you were my staff I would not expect you in today at all whatever happens and would arrange cover/re-assign tasks as needed.

Chicchicchicchiclana · 30/04/2021 08:16

I wouldn't start the message with an apology at all. Your health is more important than your job. End it with "hopefully I will be able to work tomorrow ... will keep you posted".

ShirleyPhallus · 30/04/2021 08:22

@nellly

Message sounds fine but if I was your boss I would appreciate a rough estimate of when you think you'll be back online even if you amend it later Smile
One of your team has gone to hospital and you would want to know a rough time that they’ll be back at work?!

Christ. If one of my team said they’d been at A&E and was having tests I’d tell them to take the day off and wouldn’t expect them back in.

I also think the finer details of the message are irrelevant and whatever you say out of all the suggestions above are fine. It’s one day off!

Hope you feel better

Original poster
HRVY · 30/04/2021 08:28

Thanks all! Really grateful for your suggestions - have texted to let manager know (accepted as part of our work sickness policy, so all fine). Thanks again for your help.

OP posts:
Cwenthryth · 30/04/2021 08:30

I think keeping managers appraised of return to work depends a bit on the nature on the job. If I need to find cover for you for tomorrow I’d like to know ASAP or your colleagues will struggle. When I am sick I tend to update my own manager around mid afternoon about the next day.

Kerberos · 30/04/2021 08:34

^ this! If one of my team was in hospital, I'd definitely not expect them in at all that day, and would be making plans for if they were off longer.

OP your message sounds good. Take care and hope you feel better soon.

PurpleRainDancer · 30/04/2021 08:40

@ChubbyLittleManInACampervan

No, too apologetic imo

I’d be to the point: “ had to go to A&E last night. Am still in hospital now. Unable to come to work today as still waiting for tests. Apologies. Should be back tomorrow”

Crikey no one should apologise for being in A + E.
LakieLady · 30/04/2021 08:44

@JustFrustrated

If you were unwell enough for a & E (which obviously you were) you're too ill to be "logging on later"

You need to rest.

Also don't tell them your symptoms. That's not necessary.

"Hi X. I've been admitted to hospital and am currently awaiting some tests this morning, as such I won't be in. I'll keep you updated when I can, I hope to return next week" (presuming you don't work weekends)

Also, how annoying is it when people tell you to check your sickness policy? My company are quite happy to accept a text.

Some employers aren't happy with texts/messages though.

We have to actually speak to our manager, if we can't get hold of them, their manager, if they're unavailable, another manager. It specifically says not to just leave a message.

It was a bloody nightmare when I was in hospital and there was no signal. I had to use a payphone and ran out of change before our receptionist managed to find a manager.

Moondust001 · 30/04/2021 08:44

@Tibtab

Normally I have to phone work rather than just texting, check your sickness policy. As others have said, just say you’ve been admitted to hospital for years.
This

We won't accept a text or and email. It must be a phone call in person - we won't even accept a third party unless there is a substantial reason why the person cannot phone themselves.

PuppyMonkey · 30/04/2021 08:49

I think texting that you are currently in A & E due to severe abdominal pains, will be in touch to update as and when you can would suffice. Bugger the “oh you’ve got to phone” brigade.Confused

UserAtRandom · 30/04/2021 08:58

We'd also be expected to ring in (or at least attempt to) rather than text.

I agree with others your email is too passive and apologetic. Just say you are in A&E and won't be in. Take out the "sorry" (you don't need to apologise for being ill) and the "I don't think" which suggests you might be able to (which is probably why a PP suggested they wanted to know a time you would be in).

Levis501star · 30/04/2021 09:03

Wouldn't apologise. Sounds like you are pulling or sicky or have a hangover you could have prevented. Which you absolutely are not. They don't keep you in for scan unless they thought it was necessary.

I'd be straight up -about being in hospital and will update them. Don't commit to logging in today.

chatw00 · 30/04/2021 09:13

OP has sent the text and her manager is fine about it.

Blindstupid · 30/04/2021 09:13

I literally can’t understand why you don’t know how to let your boss know you’re in hospital/sick. Weird Confused

Hope everything is ok and you’re feeling better soon.

starfishmummy · 30/04/2021 09:22

I never realised ringing/emailing/texting in sick had got so complicated!!

"I'm in a&e for tests; will be off sick until further notice"

Levis501star · 30/04/2021 09:29

@chatw00

OP has sent the text and her manager is fine about it.

Oh, thanks for being the thread monitor

Quiero · 30/04/2021 09:31

I find these threads endlessly fascinating. I’d bet those organisations with ridiculously rigid sickness policies have a way bigger problem with sickness than those who treat their employees like actual humans.

Hope you feel better soon OP and don’t you even think about logging on until you feel well enough to do so.

ShirleyPhallus · 30/04/2021 09:33

@Quiero

I find these threads endlessly fascinating. I’d bet those organisations with ridiculously rigid sickness policies have a way bigger problem with sickness than those who treat their employees like actual humans.

Hope you feel better soon OP and don’t you even think about logging on until you feel well enough to do so.

I agree. I also think those who make employees call in are basically setting themselves up for a culture of distrust.

A phone call is to ensure the manager can hear how sick the employee is. I find that such a distrustful way to treat an adult!

Merryoldgoat · 30/04/2021 09:38

@Quiero

I agree. I work somewhere where no one is scared to be sick.

We have hardly any sickness as a result.

I posted once about having 3 days off in a year and was seen as some kind of work-shy nutcase.

My assistant, who is relatively new, was in (virtually) a while ago and obviously unwell. She seemed shocked I told her to go to bed and text in the morning if she needed more time off.

She was back next day, turned out to be a migraine.

I bet the stress of worrying make the sickness worse.

UserAtRandom · 30/04/2021 09:41

A phone call is to ensure the manager can hear how sick the employee is. I find that such a distrustful way to treat an adult!

Um no. A phone call is so that you can ensure that someone has made aware in a timely manner (you have no idea when a text/email will be picked up). There are plenty of reasons for being off which don't involve anyone "sounding sick".

ShirleyPhallus · 30/04/2021 09:42

@UserAtRandom

A phone call is to ensure the manager can hear how sick the employee is. I find that such a distrustful way to treat an adult!

Um no. A phone call is so that you can ensure that someone has made aware in a timely manner (you have no idea when a text/email will be picked up). There are plenty of reasons for being off which don't involve anyone "sounding sick".

You know a text or email has been picked up when your manager replies to you.

You could easily text them the evening before you expect to be off / first thing in the morning and if you don’t get a reply then call in at 8.30am or whenever.

Imaystillbedrunk · 30/04/2021 09:43

Also find this fascinating, I would be really worried, as a manager, to receive a message like that. Far too apologetic and would make me question the sick culture of the workplace if you still was suggesting working later.

My staff are told to text at any time, as my phone is on dnd overnight. If people are ill at 3am and know they're not going to be in I want them resting, not setting alarms to get up and call me for 8am.

Justanticipating · 30/04/2021 09:44

I got rushed in for the same thing last year and was in hospital 4 days because scans and stuff take so long to get done , if it was appendicitis I could have been in for another week.
I would just say you'd keep her updated daily.